Panthers trounce Cedar Ridge 3-1 Tuesday night

Trevor Samsa

Dressed in all black at home, the Panthers came out fighting Tuesday night against crosstown rivals, the Cedar Ridge Red Wolves.  Playing strong from the first whistle, Trevor Samsa received a long pass from Eli Lockwood, beat a Red Wolves' defender in a footrace, and scored in just under two minutes of the game.  Riding the momentum, the Panthers played tight defense and tactically smart, small-sided soccer throughout the first half of the game.  Much of the Panthers' possession was driven by good communication, smart drop passes, and utilizing the width of the field against the Red Wolves.  Winning balls out of the air and 50/50 balls on the ground set the team apart from their opponents, as they dominated the majority of the first half and the entirety of the second.

Bowen Collins and Trevor Samsa

The Red Wolves had one shot the entire game, a breakaway to a 1v1 with goalkeeper Brad Barbee that they put away after 12 minutes.  Tied 1-1, the Panthers shifted to a flat-back 4, sent Bowen Collins to forward, and put Tyler Taubenheim in the back line.  5 minutes before halftime, Bowen Collins received a drop pass at the top of the box from center midfielder Gabriel Munoz.  Collins, back facing the goal, touched the ball across his body, turned 180 degrees, and ripped a right-footed shot into the upper left-hand corner of the goal.  Pictured right are Collins and Samsa celebrating after the second goal.  The Panthers headed hungrily into the second half leading 2-1.

Keeping the Red Wolves' to a shotless second half, the Panthers had seven more chances on goal to add to their six first-half opportunities.  Nine minutes into the second half, Eli Lockwood sent a long pass up to Caleb Anderson in the center of the field.  Caleb touched the ball to the right, forcing the goalkeeper off of the center of his line, and then sent a crisp shot across the frame of the goal and into the back left corner of the net.  Caleb now has 4 goals for the Panthers and Eli Lockwood has 3 assists.  Elatedly leading 3-1 with 20 minutes remaining, the Panthers played well-organized and containing defense to close out the game.  Morgan Collins was again impenetrable for the Panthers defense, and Tyler Taubenheim played aggressively as a central defender, winning balls out of the air and putting fast pressure on incoming attackers.  Pictured right are standout players from the game, Eli Lockwood, Tyler Taubenheim, and Morgan Collins.

Bowen Collins

The Player of The Game was Bowen Collins, who, as in most games, shifted from a central defender to an attacking position.  Not only versatile, Bowen is also confident in his ability to dominate at forward and finish shots on goal.  Bowen truly stood out on Tuesday night.  Continuous hustle, determination, and a will to win earned him the title of Player of the Game and the coaches hope that his goal-scoring floodgates have now been broken.  Great game, Bowen.

The Panthers begin Conference play on Wednesday at home against opponent Oxford Webb and are determined to add another game to their winning streak.  We hope you'll join us.

*A big thanks to Viviane Feldman, OHS Yearbook photographer, for the game photos!